Bo Cunningham attempts to beat the halftime buzzer with a shot from beyond halfcourt. Cunningham's shot bounced off the rim, but he was fouled on the play. He made two of three free throws and scored 16 points in Tiftarea's Tuesday win over Brookwood School.

CHULA – Four days after being swept in Region 3-AAA action, Tiftarea Academy’s basketball teams returned the favor Tuesday night, defeating visiting Brookwood in a pair of games.

The Panthers led by as many as 17 points in a 51-40 victory and the Lady Panthers stayed in front nearly the whole way in their 51-44 win.

“I’m proud of them,” said Tiftarea head boys coach Mike Patrick, whose team picked up its fifth win and second in the region.

Tiftarea’s boys led before the any time even elapsed; Brookwood was assessed a technical foul for dunking during warm-ups and Riley Mims made both free throws to start the game.

After some early back-and-forth action, the Panthers picked up momentum when Brandon Mullis scored off a Casen Royal pass late in the first quarter. That led to a 6-0 run, which continued even to the horn. Carter Stewart swiped a ball in Brookwood territory and with time winding down, threw up a running shot from near the free throw line. It went in aand Tiftarea took a 13-6 lead.

Brookwood got four points each from J.P. Chapman and Daniel Atkinson in the second quarter, but they couldn’t make a dent in the Panthers’ margin. Mims and Bo Cunningham hit three-pointers and Cunningham allowed Tiftarea to sting the Warriors for the second time in a row at the buzzer.

Cunningham stole the ball in on the Warriors’ side of the floor. He was still in Brookwood territory when he attempted his desperation heave. It bounced off the side of the rim, but Cunningham was fouled during the effort. With one-tenth of a second showing on the clock, he made two of three from the stripe. Tiftarea was up 25-15 at the break.

The third quarter was even more difficult for Brookwood. Harrison Owens scored their only field goal of the period, at 6:58, and they scored four total points.

When Dalton Jones cut down the baseline for a lay-up at 3:00, he made the score 34-17. It was 36-19 going into the fourth after Jones made a free throw.

The Warriors warmed back up in the fourth and taking advantage of turnovers, cut the lead down to nine points – 40-31 – on Atkinson’s basket at 4:35.

Rather than witness a comeback, Tiftarea clamped down, especially at the free throw line, not letting Brookwod get any closer.

The Panthers made nine of their final 10 attempts at the stripe, Cunningham responsible for five of those points. Coupled with a Cain Cooper three-pointer, the lead was too much for the Warriors to bear.

Cunningham’s 16 was the high point total for both sides. Mullis scored 10 and Stewart had eight.

“A different person steps up every night,” said Patrick.

Chapman’s eight and seven by Noah Owens were the top totals for Brookwood.

LADY PANTHERS 51, BROOKWOOD 44

Tiftarea was able to shake off Friday’s loss to Southland, relying on Abby Carswell’s strength inside.

They also had to fend off 20 turnovers, according to head coach Amy Strenth. Though it might not have been the squad’s most stylish win, Strenth isn’t bothered by it.

“I’ll take it,” she said.

The Lady Panthers were up nine points, 35-26 at the end of the third frame and pushed it to 37-26 three minutes into the fourth when Shaunteria Taylor assited Bailey Jones under the basket.

Brookwood immediately hit a three-pointer, courtesy of Erin Lewis. Taylor scored, but the visitors responded with a 9-2 run. Jordan Thompson had seven of those points, the last two off an inbounds pass at 2:50 that made it a 41-38 game.

Carswell broke that streak with two points on a fast break and though Thompson cut it to three points again at 1:41, Carswell came through with another basket at 1:32.

Carswell was fouled on her basket and though she missed the free throw, Taylor scooped the rebound and flipped it back into the net at 1:29.

Thompson and Payton Matt traded free throws and Holland Walker hit two more for a 49-44 score at 0:24. However, Brookwood could not get the ball out of Tiftarea’s hands. Ally Pate scored on an offense rebound with nine second to go, providing the final score.

Carswell got Tiftarea going early, scoring the team’s first seven points. Thomson tied it up at 7-all, then the Lady Panthers scored the game’s next 10 points.

It was 15-7 at the quarter, then 17-7 on Carswell’s score to open the second. Brookwood responded with a 9-0 run, capped by a Thompson three-pointer. Bailey Jones scored just before the half to make it a 20-16 game.

Jones was one of many young players who saw extended playing time Tuesday. Strenth said she was trying to give as many minutes as possible to her younger players to get them used to pressure.

Carson Bryan scored all seven of her points in the third frame and Carswell added six more.

Carswell scored in every quarter for her team-high 19 points. Taylor added 14.

Thompson had 10 points for Brookwood, Walker adding 13.

Tiftarea will be at Deerfield-Windsor Friday in a big Region 3 match-up. The Panthers have road games at Fullington Academy and Citizens Christian Academy before coming home for Senior Night Jan. 25 against Valwood.